Tokyo Olympics Games May Reportedly Be Canceled If Pandemic Lasts through 2021

If the Tokyo Olympic games can't happen next year, they won't be happening at all, according to the Japan medical association chief. The only time the Olympics were scrapped was in wartime.

The Daily Mail reports that one medical authority in Japan has made it clear that the Tokyo Olympic games could be called off totally as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

To many, the flu-like virus does not appear to be slowing down, with a second wave seemingly emerging in China. Elsewhere, people are doubtful that the economy will be restored anytime soon.

2020 TOKYO OLYMPICS MAY NEVER HAPPEN

Journalists spoke to Tokoyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori about the games and whether or not it would be postponed to 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

"No. In that case, the Olympics will be scrapped," Mori told Nikkan Sports, a Japanese magazine. The country is currently in a state of emergency until May 6.

MEDICAL PERSONNEL WEIGH IN

The Japanese Medical Association (JMA) president, Yoshitake Yokokura, further gave a bleak outlook regarding the possibility of holding the games next year, warning that it would be "difficult" without a vaccine.

He added: "I'm not saying at this point that they shouldn't be held. The outbreak is not only confined to Japan... it's a worldwide issue." Japan has 13,614 cases and has had 385 deaths as of this writing.

HEALTH PROFESSOR IS DOUBTFUL

Meanwhile, a Kobe University professor, Kentaro Iwata, has been firmer in his predictions. "To be honest with you, I don't think the Olympics is likely to be held next year," he stated last week.

He also pointed to the fact that the games depend not just on the situation in Japan, but also the worldwide state of the pandemic. For now, the 2021 dates for the Olympic games stand.

SOME ARE STILL HOPEFUL

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from the Tokyo 2020 public relations office explained that a framework was prepared to deal with the coronavirus in the country. The International Olympics Committee is hopeful the games will take place.

Mori, also a former prime minister, noted that if the 2021 games do see success, it will be much more profitable than Olympics done in the past. If not, it will be the first time since World War 2 the Olympics were canceled.

THE 2021 TOKYO OLYMPICS DATES

The new dates for the Tokyo Olympics were determined back in March when several major parties came together. The news came after endless border shutdowns, city lockdowns, and calls for self-quarantine.

The dates for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic games are from July 23 to August 8, 2021. The Paralympic Games are set to be held from August 24 to September 5, 2021.